Electric circuit controlling mechanism



May 28, 1935. J. SACHS 29595929587 ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING MECHANISM Original Filed May 20, 1931 4 Sheets $heei; 1

J. SACHS May 28, 1935.,

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING MECHANISM 4 SheetS Sheet Original Filed May 20, 1931 [27 ven tfir WW May 28, 19356 J, SACHS ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING MECHANISM Original Filed May 20, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Maj; 2g, 1935. SACHS ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTRO LLING MECHANI SM 4 Sheets-$heet 4 Original Filed May 20, 1951 Patented May 28, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING MECHANISM Renewed March 12, 1935 17 Claims.

The present invention relates to electric circuit controlling appliances or switches which are in some respects similar to those set forth in my Patents No. 1,754,443 and No. 1,754,445,

both dated April 15, 1930. Switches embodying the present invention differ essentially from those disclosed in the said patents in that the switching member is movable rotatably about a transverse axis instead of being movable rectilinearly.

The general purpose of the invention is to provide a simple, compact and inexpensive switch which is of the rotary type, but which nevertheless embodies some of the principles set forth in the said patents.

By providing a switching member having a rotary or oscillatory motion I am enabled to make 'the vertical dimensions considerably less than they would be if the switching member were constructed and arranged for rectilinear movement as disclosed in the said patents. This makes it possible notonly for the insulating base to have smaller vertical dimensions, but also for the enclosing box to have smaller vertical dimensions.

In accordance with the invention the rotary or oscillatory switching member is positioned in a slot in the base and is enclosed at both sides and preferably also at the ends. The stationary switch contacts are located in the recess and any arcs that may be formed are closely conlined in the recess between the insulating walls thereof.

Furthermore, in accordance with the invention the switching member when projecting for- 35. ward from the main body of the base is protected by barriers at both sides and is preferably entirely enclosed. In this way the switching member is electrically insulated from the fuse contacts and from the wire terminals and is protected from dirt and from unauthorized tampering.

In accordance with another phase of the invention the insulating base is so constructed that the portion thereof carrying the fuse contacts can be removed without disturbing the switching member or the operating shaft. As shown the base is constructed in two parts with the fuse contacts mounted on the forward part and with the switch contacts mounted on the rear part. This construction makes it possible for access to be conveniently had to the switching member and to the switch contacts for inspection, adjustment, cleaning and the like, and also makes it possible for the chamber 'in which the switching member moves to be entirely closed at the front and if desired substantially closed at the rear.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown two embodiments of the present invention, in order that the invention may be fully understood, but the drawings are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed'as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a switch embodying the invention, the cover of the enclosing box being omitted and a part of the insulating base being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a bottom view, partly in section, along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a right side view.

Fig. 4 is a right side view of the base and as- I sociated parts, the enclosing box being shown in section.

Fig.5 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 55 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but showing the switch member in a different position.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a different embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a bottom view, partly in section, along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a right side view of the base and associated parts, the enclosing box being shown in section.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, but showing the switch parts separated from each other.

Fig. 11 is a detail view of the quick-make-andbreak mechanism, this view being taken along the line llll of Fig. 8.

In Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawings I have shown a two pole fused switch and the parts at the right and at the left are duplicates of each other except for reversals of positions. I will in the main confine the description to the parts at the right, it being understood that the parts at the left are or may be subsantially the same in construction.

I represents as an entirety the insulating base upon which all of the parts of the switch proper may be mounted. This base is provided with a relatively narrow longitudinal recess 2 which is closed at least at its sides, and preferably also at the top and bottom, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 5. Mounted on the base I is at least one pair and preferably two pairs of oppositely disposed stationary switch contacts. The contacts of one pair are shown at 3 and 4, and the contacts of the other pair are shown at -5 and 6. The contacts of each pair are respectively adjacent the opposite sides of the recess 2 and all of the contacts are behind the front face of the base.

The switch contacts 3 and '5 are held in place by means of screws 1 and 8, the said contacts being mounted at the forward ends of notches 9 and I extending forward from the rear of the base. The screws 1 and 8 extend through the body of the base and are threaded into terminal plates II and I2 at the 'front'of the base. Nuts l3 and M on the screws 1 and 8 co-operate with the plates H and i2 to formwire terminals which are electrically connected with the switch contacts 3 and 5 by means of bushings l5 surrounding the screws,

The switch -contacts 4 and 6 are held in place by .means of screws l6 and I I which extend through the body of the base and are connected at their forward ends with fuse contacts l8 and I8. Preferably bushings 20 surround the screws l6 and II to provide-better electrical connection between the switch contacts and the fuse contacts.

'The fuse contacts as shown are adapted for receiving cartridge fuses, but the invention is not so limited.

Positioned in the recess 2 is a movable switching member which comprises an insulating element 2| having opposed flat faces which are substantially parallel with the sides of the recess 2. Carried by the insulating element 2| are movable switch contacts 22 and 23, these movable switch contacts being so positioned as to normally engage both of the switch contacts of the corresponding pair. Each contact 22 or 23 preferably comprises a single piece of sheet metal extending through a slot in the element 2i and bent to form an approximate U as shown.

The switching member, comprising the fiat plate 2| and the switch contacts 22 and 23, is movable in the recess about a transverse axis perpendicular to the flat faces of the insulating element, and when there are two pairs of-contacts'this axis is preferably midway between the said pair. Preferably the means for-moving the switching member comprises a transverse shaft 24 which extends through a hole in the insulating element. when there are two or more switching members as herein disclosed, the same shaft 2% extends through the insulating elements of all of them. Each insulating element preferably has a non-circular hole therein, as for instance a square hole, and the shaft 23 is similarly shaped so as to approximately fit the hole. It will be evident that when the shaft 24 is turned the switching members are correspondingly turned so as to engageor disengage the stationary switch contacts and thus make or break the. circuit through the switch. Preferably the switching members are loosely mounted on the shaft 26, being free to adjust themselves transversely to correspond to any inaccuracies or any qualities in the stationary switch contacts. I

The type of mounting of the transverse shaft v24 may be varied, but I have shown the shaft 23 as provided at its left end with a cylindrical portion 25 which fits a bearing bushing 26 held by the base. Near its right end the shaft 24 is provided with a bushing 21 which has an outer cylindrical surface. The bushing 21 is rotatable in another bushing 28 which is mounted in the insulating base.

The base I is preferably provided with at least one barrier at one side of the recess 2, and is able the shaft to move from .member from thewire terminalsfand the barrier 30 separates the switchingmember from the fuse contacts. Preferably the barriers 29 and 30 are connected at the top, bottom and front soas to provide a unitary barrier means which serves to substantially entirely enclose the switching ,member at the top, bottom, sides and front thereof.

The base with the switch and fuse parts thereon is preferably enclosed in a metallic cabinet or box, which may be of any usual or preferred construction. The box'proper is indicated in the drawings at 3! and the movable front cover therefor is-indicated at 32. The base I is secured to the rear wall of the cabinet by means of screws 33, 33.

The operating shaft 24 is extended at one end, as for instance at the right end, through the corresponding wall of the cabinet and carries a handle 34 by means of which the shaft may be turned to operatethe switch. Movementof the handle 34 is limited by means of stops 35, 35 secured to the side wall of the box. Withdrawal of the shaft 24 endwise through the opening in the box wall is prevented by means of a cotter pin 36.

Secured to the inner face of the right wall of the box is a spring clip 31 which is formed to engage and press against the opposite flat sides of the shaft 24, as shown most clearly in Fig. 3. This spring clip 31 tends to hold the shaft either in the closed position of the switch, as shown in Fig. 3,

or in the open position of the switch as shown in Fig. 6. The spring fingers of the clip yield to en- I one position to the other.

The construction shown in Figs. '7 to 11 is similar in many respects to that shown in Figs. 1 to 6, but nevertheless differs in certain important characteristics. The insulating base, instead of consisting of a single integral piece of material, comprises separable front and rear parts I andl These two parts are provided with registering relatively narrow recesses 2* and 2 these two registering recesses together forming a combined recess similar to the aforesaid recess 2 for containing the corresponding switch member.

The pairs of stationary switch contacts 3, 4- and 5 8 are shown as being mounted entirely upon the rear part 5' of the base, and they are similar to the stationary switch contacts already described. The wire terminals, instead of being at the outer side of the recess, are adjacent the ends thereof, the body portions .of the switch contacts 3 and 5 extending vertically instead of laterally. The contacts are held in place by means of screws 1 and 8 which co-operate with terminal plates ii and i2 and nuts I3 and H te form wire terminals. s

The switch contacts 4 and t are held in place on the rear base part I -by means of screws l6 and U which extend through the said rear part .of the base and project forwardthrough suitable apertures provided inthe front part of the base. Fitted in the apertures in the front part of the base are bushings 2i) which are spun over at their ends so as to hold in place the fuse contacts l8 and 59 Nuts I6 and 11 engage the screws Hi and I7 to hold the front part l of the base in fixed position with respect to the rear part l thereof. The said nuts and screws not only .holdthe front part of the base in place, but they also constitute electrical connections between the switch contacts and the corresponding fuse contacts.

Eachswitching member comprises parts 2!, 22 and 23 similar to the parts already described. The switching members are similarly mounted and operated by means of a non-circular shaft 24'. The shaft 24* as shown is provided at its left end with a cylindrical portion 25" which fits a bushing 28' clamped between the front and rear parts of the base. Near its right hand end the shaft 24 is provided with a bushing 21 which is rotatable in a bushing 28'. This latter bushing is clamped between the front and rear parts of the base.

By removing the nuts l6" and Il the front part of the base can be readily separated from the rear part of the base and from the switching members and shaft. The fuse contacts remain in place on the front part of the base, being held by the bushings Removal of the front part of the base with the fuse contacts permits removal of the shaft 24 and of the switching members carried thereby. The stationary switch contacts remain in place on the rear part l of the base. This provision for ready separation of the parts makes it possible for the switch contacts to be readily inspected and to be cleaned or adjusted if necessary.

The switch is enclosed in a metallic cabinet or box 3| having a cover 32. The rear part l of the base is secured to the rear wall of the cabinet by means of screws 33 33*.

For operating the shaft 24 there is provided an operating handle 34, but this handle, instead of being mounted directly on the shaft, is connected by means of a suitable quick-make-andbreak mechanism. The handle 34 is secured to a hub 38 which is rotatable in a relatively large aperture in the corresponding side wall of the box. Secured to the hub 38 is a projecting operating finger 39. Rotatably mounted on the hub 38 is an intermediate member 40 which is held in one or the other of two extreme positions by means of an over-the-center spring 4| which surrounds a guide rod 42. The lower end of the guide rod is enlarged and is pivoted to an ear 43 on theintermediate member 4|! and the other cured to the side wall of the box. The intermediate member 40 is provided with cars 45 and 48 .which are adapted to be engaged by the operating finger 39 and which are also adapted to engage a right angled extension 24 of the shaft 24.

The full lines in Fig. 11 show the parts in the position which they occupy when the switch is closed. When the handle 34' is moved downward the finger 38 is turned in the clockwise direction and this causes a similar movement of the intermediate member 40. This movement continues until the ear 45 engages or approximately engages the extension 24 at which time the spring M is at or near the dead center. Continued movement carries the spring past dead center and the spring thereupon acts to throw the parts quickly to the positions shown by dotted lines. The extension 24 is carried with a snap action to its open circuit position. When the switch is to be closed the operation described is reversed and the extension 24 is engaged by the ear 46 and is carried with a snap action from its closed circuit position to its open circuit position.

. Movement of the switch parts may be limited by means of an arm 41 which is secured to the shaft 24 at the left hand end thereof, and which integral portion of the base, a switching member including an insulating element and a conducting contact element movable with the insulating element and having contact faces adapted to engage and electrically connect the stationary switch contacts, means for supporting the switching member so as to permit movement thereof about a transverse axis parallel to the front face of the base, and means for moving the switching member about the said axis to cause the movable contact element thereof to engage or disengage the stationary switch contacts.

2. In an electric switch, the combination of an insulating base having therein a relatively narrow recess open at the back and closed at its sides and ends, the said base having an integral portion which atleast partly closes the said recess at the front, a pair of opposed stationary switch contacts carried by the base and respectively positioned adjacent the opposite sides of the recess, a switching member positioned in the recess and movable between the switch contacts,

the said switching member including an insulating element and a conducting contact element movable with the insulating element and having contact faces adapted to engage the stationary switch contacts, means for supporting the switching member in the recess so as to permit movement thereof about a transverse axis perpendicular to the side walls of the recess, and means for moving the switching memberabout the said axis to cause the movable contact element thereof to engage or disengage the stationary switch contacts.

3. man electric switch, the combination of an insulating base having therein a relatively narrow recess closed at the sides thereof and open at the rear, two pairs of stationary switch contacts arranged with the contacts of each pair respectively adjacent the opposite sides of the recess, one of the contacts of each pair being electrically connectible witha circuit wire and the remaining contacts being electrically eonnectible with each other, a switching member adapted to be inserted in the recess from the .rear and including an insulating element having opposed fiat faces substantially parallel with the sides of the recess, the said switching member also including two separated conducting contact elements carried by the insulating element and each normally engaging both of the stationary switch contacts of the corresponding pair, means for moving the switching member in the recess about an axis perpendicular-to the said fiat faces to thereby substantially simultaneously disengage the movable contact elements from the corresponding stationary switch contacts, and barrier means on the front of the base cooperating with the main portion thereof to substantially entirely enclose the switching member at the top, bottom, front and sides thereof.

4. In an electric switch, the combination of an insulating base having therein a relatively narand ends, the said base also comprising a forward extending barrier along one edge of the recess,

a pair of fuse contacts at the"front of the base and separated fromthe said recess by the said barrier, a pair of opposed stationary switch contacts carried by the base and. respectively positioned adjacent the opposite sides of the recess, a switching member positioned in the recess and movable between the switch-contacts, the said switching member including a conducting contact element having contact faces adapted to engage the stationary switch contacts, means for supporting the switching member in the recess so as to permit movement thereof about a transverse axis perpendicular to the side walls of the recess, and means for moving the switching member about the said axis to cause the movable contact element thereof to engage or disengage the sta-' tionary switch contacts.

5; In an electric switch, the combination of an insulating base having therein a relatively narrow recess open at the back and closed at its sides and ends, the said base also comprising a forward extending barrier along one edge of the recess, a pair of fuse contacts at the front of the base and separated from-the said recess by the said barrier, a pair of opposed stationary switch contacts carried by the base and respectively positioned adjacent the opposite sides of the recess, a movable switching member,positioned in the re'cess between the switch contacts, the said switching member including a flat insulating plate substantially parallel with the sides of the recess and also including a conducting contact element movable with .the insulating. plate and having contact'faces at opposite sides thereof,'means for supporting the switching member in the recess so as to permit movement thereof about a transverse axis perpendicular to the insulating plate and perpendicular to the side walls of the recess, and

means for moving the switching member about the said axis to cause the movable contact element thereof to engage or disengage the stationary switch contacts.

6. In an electric switch, the combination of an base, a pair of opposed stationary switch contacts carried by the base behind the front face thereof and each positioned in a rela-' tively narrow recess in the base which is open at the. back'and closed at its sides and ends and which is substantially closed at the front by an integral portion of the base, a pairof fuse contactspn the front of the base and separated from the stationary switch contacts by an integral portion of the base; a conductor extending through the base and electrically connecting one fuse contact with one switch contact, a switching member including an insulating element and a conducting contact element movable with the insulating element and having contact faces adapted-to engage and electrically connect the stationary switch contacts, means for supporting the switching member so as to permit movement 'thereof about a transverse axis parallel to the insulating base having therein a relatively narrow recess open at the back nd closed at itssides and ends, the said base also comprising a forward extending integral portion which at least partly closes the said recess at the front andconstitutes a barrier at one side thereof, a pair of fuse contacts at the front of the base andseparated amass? for moving the switching member about the said -'axis to cause the movable contact-element thereof to engage or disengage the stationary switch contacts.

8. In an electric switch, the combination of an insulating base having therein a relatively narrow recess open at the back and closed at its sides and ends, the said base also comprising two forward extendingbarriers at the respective sides of the recess, a pair of fuse contacts at the front of the base and separated from the said recess by one of the said barriers, at least one wire terminal at the front of the base and separated from the said recess by the other of the said barriers, a pair of opposed stationary switch contacts carriedby the base and respectively .positioned adjacent the opposite sides of the recess, one of the said switch contacts being electrically connected with the said wire terminal, a switching member positioned in the recess and movable'between the switch contacts and between the said barriers, the said switching member including a conducthis contact element having contact faces adapted to engage the stationary switch contacts, means for supporting the switching member in the recess so as to permit movement thereof about a transverse axis perpendicular to the side walls of the recess, and means for moving the switching ember about the said aids to cause the movable contact element thereof to engage or disengage the stationary switch contacts.

9. In an electric switch, the combination of an insulating base having therein a relatively nar-' by the saidbarrier, the said fuse contacts being electrically connected respectively with the remaining switch contacts, a switching member positioned in the recess and including an insulating element having opposed flat faces parallel with the barriers, the said switching member also including two separated conducting contact elements carried by the insulating element and each normally engaging both of the stationary switch contacts of the corresponding pair, and means for an axis perpendicular to the said flat faces to thereby substantially simultaneously disengage the movable contact elements from the correspondingstationary switch contacts.

10. An electric switch as set forth in claim 9, wherein there are two forward extending barriers at opposite sides'of the recess and wherein the terminals-are at the front of the base and at the side of'the recess opposite to that of the fuseconmoving the switching member in the recess about "i tacts and areseparated from the recess by the second barrier.

11. In an electric switch, the combination of an insulating base having separable front and rear parts provided with registering relatively narrow recesses forming a combined recess open at the rear and closed at the sides thereof, a pair of stationary switch contacts on the base positioned respectively adjacent the opposite sides of the combined recess, a switching member positioned in the recess and including an insulating element having opposed flat faces substantially parallel with the sides of the recess, the said switching member also including a conducting contact element movable with the insulating element and normally engaging both of the stationary switch contacts, and a transverse shaft between two base parts for moving the switching member in the recess about an axis perpendicular to the said flat faces of the insulating element to thereby disengage the movable contact elements from the stationary switch contacts.

12. In an electric switch, the combination of an insulating base having separable front and rear parts provided with registering relatively narrow recesses forming a combined recess open at the rear and closed at the sides thereof, the front part of the base having a forward projecting barrier at one side ofthe recess, a pair of fuse contacts at the front of the front part of the base separated from the said recess by the said barrier, a pair of stationary switch contacts on the base positioned respectively adjacent the opposite sides of the combined recess, a switching member positioned in the recess and including an insulating element having opposed flat faces substantially parallel with the sides of the recess, the said switching member also including a conducting contact element movable with the insulating element and normally engaging both of the stationary switch contacts, and a transverse shaft between two base parts for moving the switching member in the recess about an axis perpendicular to the said fiat faces of the insulating element to thereby disengage the movable contact elements from the stationary switch contacts.

13. In an electric switch, the combination of an insulating base having separable front and rear parts provided with registering relatively narrow recesses forming a combined recess closed at the sides thereof, two pairs of stationary switch contacts on the base with the contacts of each pair positioned respectively adjacent the opposite sides of the combined recess, two wire terminals on the base and electrically connected respectively with two switch contacts of the respective pairs, two fuse contacts on the front part of the base at one side of the front recess, means normally electrically connecting the fuse contacts respectively with the remaining switch contacts, a switching member positioned in the recess and including an insulating element having opposed flat faces substantially parallel with the sides of the recess, the said switching member also including two separated conducting contact elements carried by the insulating element and each normally engaging both of the stationary switch contacts of the corresponding pair, and a transverse shaft between two base parts for moving the switching member in the recess about an axis perpendicular to the said flat faces to thereby substantially simultaneously disengage the movable contact elements from the corresponding stationary switch contacts.

14. An electric switch as set forth in claim 13, wherein the recess in the front part of the base is completely closed at the front and wherein the recess in the rear part of the base is at least partly closed at the rear.

15. In an electric switch, the combination of an insulating base having separable front and rear parts provided with registering relatively narrow recesses closed at the sides thereof, two pairs of stationary switch contacts on the rear part of the base with the contacts of each pair positioned respectively adjacent the opposite sides of the rear recess, two wire terminals on the rear part of the base and electrically connected respectively with two switch contacts of the respective pairs, two fuse contacts on the front part of the base at one side of the front recess, seperable means normally electrically connecting the fuse contacts respectively with the remaining switch contacts, a switching member positioned in the recesses and including an insulating element having opposed flat faces substantially parallel with the sides of the recesses, the said switching member also including two separated conducting contact elements carried by the insulating element and each normally engaging both of the stationary switch contacts of the corresponding pair, and means for moving the switching member in the recesses about an axis perpendicular to the said flat faces to thereby substantially simultaneously disengage the movable contact elements from the corresponding stationary switch contacts.

16. An electric switch as set forth in claim 15, wherein the front part of the base is provided at the front with barrier means substantially entirely-enclosing the switching member at the top, bottom, front and sides.

17. An electric switch as set forth in claim 15, wherein the meansv for moving the switching member is a transverse rotatable shaft normally held between the base parts and separable from both of them when the said parts are separated,

JOSEPH SACHS. 

